ARAUCARIA CHILEAN (Araucaria araucana)
Or Arauca. It is especially striking because it has such hard and prickly leaves that they say birds do not land on its branches. This feature of Chilean Araucaria is associated with one of its common names in English - Monkey Puzzle, i.e. “riddle of a monkey”, widely used and included in botanical dictionaries. It originated, however, not in Chile, but in Great Britain. In Cornwall (in the southwest of Great Britain), a certain proud owner of a young specimen of Chilean Araucaria (for a long time it is completely covered - both trunk and branches - with prickly leaves), showing it to guests, remarked: “Climbing this tree would be a mystery even for a monkey! »
It was Araucaria Chilean that was the first described species of Araucaria. In 1782, it was described by the Italian botanist X. Molina under the name Arauca pine (Pinus araucana). It was not yet suspected at that time that the Arauca “pine” was a special genus. Only four years later, in 1786, the famous botanist and zoologist J. Lamarck described the Arauca pine as a special genus, naming it in honor of the traveler and plant collector J. J. Dombey - Dombeya. However, a few months earlier, a genus of flowering plants received the same name and in honor of the same Dombey. Therefore, the French botanist Antoine Jussier in 1789 renamed the conifer, which was called Dombey, and since then it has been called Araucaria.
Araucaria Chilean grows not only in Chile, but also in the western part of Argentina. The habitat of this araucaria is divided into two isolated areas. The smaller one is located on the western slope of the Cordillera Coast at an altitude of about 700 m above sea level. The extent of this area is from 37°20 to 37°50 south. w. The wider part of its range is in the Andes. It stretches here along the ridges between 37 and 40° at an altitude of 1600-1800 m, and on the eastern slope it does not descend below 800-600 m above sea level. It has been suggested that not all thickets of Chilean Araucaria are of natural origin. There is evidence that suggests that some of them are confined to ancient Indian sites. The widespread use of Araucaria seeds for food could lead to the spread of Araucaria through humans, accidentally or even intentionally.
Araucaria Chilean forms pure or mixed forests with southern beech (Nothofagus) up to the upper forest limit. Araucaria forests develop best on volcanic soils. The densest thickets are found on the slopes of volcanoes.
Chilean Araucaria, like Bidwill's Araucaria, are very large trees, reaching (female specimens) a height of 60 m with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m. The crown of young trees is broadly pyramidal, with its lower branches lying directly on the ground. With age, the lower branches usually fall off. The lateral branches of mature trees are located 6-7 in whorls, they are horizontally extended or slightly hanging in old trees; the crown becomes flat-umbrella-shaped, located only at the very top of the trunk. The bark is resinous, thick, longitudinally fissured.
The growth of young plants (up to 30-150 years of age) can reach 45 cm annually, and then decreases to 10-15 cm. In this, araucarias differ sharply from the extremely slowly growing agathis.
The leaves of Araucaria Chilean are hard, prickly, dark green, spirally arranged, covering the branches very tightly to each other. The leaves are 2.5-4 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, ovoid in shape with a pointed apex, attached to the shoot by a wide base, slightly keeled below. Leaves live up to 40 years.
A characteristic feature of Chilean Araucaria is its microstrobilae. They are axillary, solitary (but very often brought together in groups of 2-4-6 at the very top of the branch), straight, cylindrical, sometimes almost oval, surrounded at the base by vegetative leaves.
Microsporophylls with a relatively long stalk (up to 8 mm). The supraglottis is up to 15 mm long, with a heart-shaped base, awl-shaped narrowed at the end, initially directed upward,
And then bent down, so the surface of the microstrobile appears bristly. 12-16 double-rowed microsporangia are attached to the lower surface of the epiglottis.
Cones on short lateral branches, the vegetative leaves of which gradually turn into cone scales. Mature cones are brown, spherical, 12-18 cm in diameter (they reach a weight of 1.6 kg), initially covered with long, elongated up to 3 cm and curved upward tips of covering scales, which subsequently break off.
Mature trees produce 20-30 cones, each of which contains up to 200-300 large seeds. When ripe, the cone crumbles. The mature seed is oblong, slightly compressed, 2.5-4 cm long; narrow edges and the remains of a wing are visible along the edges of the seed.
Chilean Araucaria is light-loving, grows in humid climates, on evenly moist, but not swampy, soils sufficiently rich in nutrients. It tolerates dry conditions well, as well as light frosts.
The large seeds of Chilean Araucaria are nutritious and tasty. Araucanas eat them raw or roasted. The wood of this araucaria is yellowish-white in color and is used in construction. The resin is used in Araucanian folk medicine. Araucaria Chilean is a very valuable ornamental plant. It is propagated by both seeds and cuttings.
In 1796, i.e. 16 years after the discovery of Chilean araucaria in America, it was already introduced in England (the first tree grown lasted almost a hundred years). Later, this araucaria spread widely in Western Europe (all the way to Norway!), and in Russia - only in the botanical gardens of the Crimea and the Caucasus.
Araucaria Chilean is a large evergreen tree, some specimens of which, in their native habitat, reach up to 60 m in height, while the diameter of the trunk can be up to one and a half meters. The plant is dioecious, with female specimens larger than male ones. The lifespan of Araucaria can reach up to 2000 years!
Description of Chilean Araucaria
The plant is native to the Western and Eastern Cordilleras, as well as the Argentine and Chilean Andes. Under natural conditions, the trees form sparse forests, sometimes mixed with beech, at altitudes from 500 to 1800 m. The densest thickets of Chilean Araucaria are found on the slopes of volcanoes, since the plant prefers volcanic soils. The plant is very light-loving, grows in a humid climate, however, it tolerates both drought and frosts down to -20. Scientists have suggested that not all Araucaria thickets are of natural origin, and some of them grow on the sites of ancient Indian sites. Since the seeds of the plant were used by humans for food, this could lead to its accidental, and possibly intentional, spread.
Planted in Europe, Chilean Araucaria plants do not reach more than 10 m in height. The young plant has a round-conical crown shape, which becomes umbrella-shaped with age. The lower branches of the plant are located on the ground, and with age they usually disappear altogether. Over the course of a year, the tree can grow up to 45 cm in height, however, after 150 years of life, growth slows down and usually does not exceed 15 cm per year. An interesting feature of the plant is the presence of very hard and spiny leaves. According to some reports, because of this feature, birds do not sit on the tree. Moreover, Chilean Araucaria received a comic name in English - Monkey Puzzle (riddle for a monkey), which is so widely used that it has even been included in botanical dictionaries.
The plant blooms from June to July (male plants bloom). Female specimens have cones of a spherical-conical shape, quite large in size (about 17 cm). Each cone contains 200 to 300 seeds, and a mature tree can produce up to 30 cones. When ripe, the cones scatter directly on the tree.
Chilean araucaria propagates in two ways: cuttings and seeds.
The population of Chile and Argentina still consumes the seeds of the plant as food, as they are quite tasty and nutritious. They are fried or eaten with cheese. In addition, wood is used in construction, and the plant’s resin is used in folk medicine.
Externally, the tree is very impressive, has a unique shape, so it is often planted in parks and gardens in Mediterranean countries. The plant is also cultivated in European countries, in regions with a more or less mild climate, where it can withstand winter, for example, in the south of England, Ireland, Germany. The plant was brought to European countries for the first time in 1796, i.e. 16 years after its discovery in South America.
In the CIS countries, Chilean araucaria can be found quite rarely. It grows only in botanical gardens, in particular in the Crimea and the Caucasus.
Chilean araucaria is a large, heat-loving coniferous tree. In nature, Araucaria is distributed in the central provinces of Chile (in the provinces of Araucanía and Bio-Bio) and in adjacent areas of Argentina. In the foothills of the Andes, Araucaria forms forests. Where Chilean Araucaria grows, it receives rainfall throughout the year. 1500 mm or more precipitation per year.2 times more than in England.Winter temperaturedrops below zerorarely and not for long.In summer there is no Mediterranean heat.We took the photos in Chile National Park, Nahuelbuta NP.
Araucaria forest in the national Nahuelbuta park.
On the trunks of araucaria, the lichen Usnea, Russian bearded vulture, grows in abundance. This indicates high air humidity in these areas.
Mature tree bark
A. Khalling and A Bobrov in NP Nahuelbuta.
Young araucaria at the edge of the forest.
The base of the trunk of a 2,000-year-old Chilean araucaria.
Chilean araucaria is a beautiful park tree. The photo shows a young specimen. Araucaria at the main entrance to Kew Botanic Gardens in London. On the islands of Great Britain, the first Chilean araucaria trees appeared at the very end of the 17th century. Large trees can be found in gardens and parks in Cornwall and Wales.
A hundred-year-old araucaria tree in one of the private gardens in Wales.
An old araucaria in a garden in Cornwall. Below it are flowering, 10-meter tall trees of the Himalayan rhododendron, known as Cornish Red.
In English, Chilean araucaria is called monkey puzzle tree.
In Europe, this type of araucaria grows well in southern Norway. Denmark, Germany, England. In Mediterranean countries, Chilean araucaria suffers from summer heat and drought. In these countries, they prefer to grow other types of araucaria from Australia.
In the territory of the former USSR, there have been and continue to be attempts to cultivate Chilean araucaria in the so-called Soviet subtropics, i.e. on the Black Sea - in Crimea and Transcaucasia. Until the mid-80s of the last century, a 7-meter specimen could be seen in the arboretum of the Southern Cultures state farm in Adler (near Sochi). Araucaria Chilean. but he died during a tornado. I believe that this type of araucaria is unpromising for the "Soviet subtropics - Very hot summers and long summer droughts. In these places in Sochi, another type of araucaria from South America - Brazilian or angustifolia araucaria - has been growing well for more than 100 years. In adulthood It is, however, not very decorative. This type of araucaria differs from the Chilean one in having much narrower leaves (needles), as well as in the shape of the crown and, probably, it is more drought-resistant.
Young Brazilian araucaria in the White Nights botanical garden near Dagomys.
Male cones on top of a young Brazilian Araucaria.
Araucaria angustifolia, or A. brazilian, loses its decorative effect with age: its crown becomes clogged with dry, unfallen branches. This is probably why it is not bred as much and often as the Chilean araucaria.
Next time I will show three species of araucaria from Australia.
Araucaria is an exotic tree similar to spruce. The plant is distributed in highland forests of the southern hemisphere from Australia and New Zealand to Peru. In its natural environment, Araucaria is a tall tree with thorny branches at the top of the crown. Its wood is highly valued. Indoor araucaria appeared relatively recently. It has a more modest size and soft needles. Due to its resemblance to an ordinary spruce, flower growers are happy to buy such a beauty for home, but it is popular not only during the New Year holidays.
Description of the plant
In its natural environment, Araucaria is a tree 50-60 m high (some reach 90 m). Its trunk is straight, and its branches grow almost parallel to the ground. Domestic araucaria usually does not grow more than 1.5-2 m. The branches on the trunk are arranged in whorls and, when viewed from above, resemble a star. During the year, 1-2 new whorls grow on the tree. The lower branches of a young plant literally lie on the surface of the soil, but over time they fall off, leaving small marks on the trunk.
The entire length of the branch is covered with short and stiff needles. They are triangular in shape with a wider base. The color of the needles varies from bright green to bluish. The length of small modified leaves is 0.5-5 cm, and the width is 0.3-2.5 cm.
Araucarias are dioecious plants. The trees are covered with female (oval) or male (elongated) cones. Light green female cones reach 20 cm in length. Their lobes fit tightly to each other, and edible seeds are hidden between the scales. The weight of one cone is about 1.5 kg.
Araucaria species
Among about 20 species of araucaria, only a few are suitable for indoor growing. The most popular is araucaria varifolia. It is also called “indoor spruce”. This delicate tree with a pyramidal crown and light green needles looks very elegant in the house. The dark brown bark on the trunk is slightly peeling. Young branches are covered with miniature scales up to 8 mm long.
The indoor plant can reach a height of 3 m. Short triangular leaves of a bright green hue densely cover the shoots. A characteristic feature is the drooping tips of the branches.
Each branch, densely covered with hard green triangles, resembles a monkey's tail. For this feature, this variety received the name “monkey tree”. The plant is valued for its high quality wood and edible seeds in its cones. It can withstand minor frosts.
The tree has a pyramidal crown, which consists of short and thick branches located perpendicular to the trunk. On an adult plant, cones up to 10 cm long are formed.
Reproduction methods
Araucaria is propagated by sowing seeds and rooting semi-lignified cuttings. Seeds should be sown immediately after collection, as their germination rate quickly decreases. In each pot with a sand-peat soil mixture, 1-2 seeds are planted to a depth of 2-3 cm. After watering, the surface of the ground is lined with sphagnum moss for optimal moisture exchange. Before emergence, you can place the containers in a dark place with an air temperature of +18...+20 °C. Depending on the freshness of the seeds, seedlings appear in 2-8 weeks. When the top of the shoot is decorated with the first bunch of needles, the seedlings should be transplanted to a permanent place. If a suitable pot was immediately selected, you can continue growing without picking.
To root cuttings, in early spring, apical shoots with at least one whorl of branches are cut. During the day, the cut is dried in air, and then the excess resin is removed and sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Before planting, the cuttings are treated with root and planted in sandy-peaty or sandy soil. Before rooting, the seedlings are kept under a cover, periodically ventilated and watered. Rooting may take 2-5 months, during which it is necessary to maintain an air temperature of +24...+26 °C.
Transfer
Araucaria tolerates transplants very painfully, so they should be carried out only if the roots have completely intertwined the earthen ball. The indoor spruce is carefully removed from the pot and try not to disturb the rhizome. The new pot should be deep and wide enough. Coarse drainage material is laid on the bottom. The soil for araucaria usually consists of:
- turf soil;
- river sand;
- leaf soil;
- peat
If desired, you can add coniferous soil and deciduous humus to the substrate. After transplantation, the plant is left alone for several days. It is not recommended to over-moisten the soil or turn or move the tree.
Araucaria care
Araucaria at home requires a special approach. In its natural environment, it lives in mountainous areas, where it is always cool. The ideal air temperature for the plant is about +20 °C. If the room is too hot, the araucaria turns yellow and drops its leaves. In the summer, it is recommended to take the tree out into the fresh air; it is not afraid of small drafts and cold nights. In winter, it is advisable to lower the temperature to +10…+12 °C. If the house has a glazed balcony, it is ideal for indoor spruce.
This coniferous beauty prefers bright, diffused light. It can also be in slight partial shade. It is better to keep araucaria under other plants in the garden or place it in the back of the room, away from direct sunlight. It is recommended to periodically rotate the pot relative to the light source to avoid bending of the trunk.
Air humidity should be above average. In too dry a room, araucaria may shed its needles. It is recommended to periodically spray and occasionally bathe the tree under a weak, warm shower. If necessary, you can use trays with wet pebbles or place the plant near the aquarium.
It is necessary to water the araucaria with warm and very soft water. It is advisable to pre-boil, settle or purify tap water using a filter. Watering should be frequent enough so that the earthen ball dries out only a quarter. It is also important to ensure that water does not stagnate in the soil or pan. All excess should be poured out half an hour after irrigation.
From April to October, araucaria must be fed with mineral fertilizers. Without them, the needles become thin and faded. It is important to control the level of calcium in the fertilizer; it should be minimal. An excess of this mineral in fertilizing or irrigation water slows down the growth of araucaria.
House spruce Araucaria belongs to the genus of evergreen, coniferous plants of the Araucariaceae family. Scientists count about 19 surviving plants of this genus. Their natural habitat is New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Eastern Australia, Chile, southern Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand. There is also Cook's pine, common in Hawaii, the USA and the island of Lanai.
The distribution halo is in open areas near forests and bushes. You can observe the largest number of species in New Caledonia (this is due to its long isolation and relative stability of the entire island).
Araucaria is popularly known as Chilean pine. And the tree got its name from the self-name of the Mapuche (Indian people) of central Chile and southwestern Argentina - Araucano. The territory of distribution of the people coincides with the halo of the distribution of the clan. The Mapuche, however, have their own name - Pehuen, and it is considered sacred among them. The peoples living in the foothills of the Andes call themselves Pehuenches “people of Pehuen”, as they traditionally collect the seeds of this tree for food production.
There is no popular name for this plant. It is often called pine, but in fact it has little in common with this species. The name home spruce is also common.
There are three interesting facts about Araucaria:
- Even in the Mesozoic period, Araucaria was considered one of the living fossils.
- Before the Cretaceous period, Chilean pine was not common in the northern hemisphere.
- Trees were the main source of high-energy nutrition during the Jurassic period for adult sauropods.
Description and photo of araucaria
Araucaria, judging by the description, is most often large trees with a straight and very massive trunk, which can reach up to 100 meters in height in various types.
The branches grow vertically and have leaves with needles or a leathery surface, and in some varieties they can be lanceolate or awl-shaped. They can also be positioned differently, there are only two options: 1. Either they barely overlap each other; 2. Either they are wide and flat and completely overlap each other.
Trees are mostly dioecious, with male and female principles. There have been cases when a plant from the genus Araucaria turned out to be unisexual or subsequently changed its sex.
How to determine whether a plant is female or male? Female cones are located high on the tree and have the shape of a ball (the diameter can vary greatly, for example, there are species with a diameter of 5 cm, and others with 30). The seeds in them are edible (from 80 to 200 pieces), similar to cedar (a little larger than them).
The male ones are also located at the top of the tree, but the size is much smaller - a maximum of 10 centimeters. The cones are long and narrow in size (shaped like a cylinder) from 5 to 15 cm in diameter.
We invite you to look at photos of araucaria:
Araucaria care
If you grow araucaria, do it only in a greenhouse. And be sure to follow all the rules for caring for araucaria, otherwise you will simply destroy the plant.
So, first, let's take care of the air temperature. The Araucaria plant simply needs fresh air (this is one of the most important reasons why this genus takes root very poorly in the house). The optimal temperature for the plant in winter is no less than 10 degrees (but not more than 15), and in summer, room temperature is also suitable (no more than 20 °).
In summer, it is better to avoid direct sunlight, preferably diffused light. To ensure proportional growth of the plant, it is necessary to provide light from both sides. If this is not possible, we recommend rotating the Araucaria by 90° every week (for even distribution of light).
The plant must be constantly watered so as not to destroy it. It is moderate in winter and active in summer. The water should not be cold or, on the contrary, too hot - it is better to let it brew a little before watering, and only then start watering. It’s good if you constantly spray it, which will also prevent it from drying out and allow the plant to maintain its green, vital color throughout the winter.
For planting, you should prepare a substrate of sand, turf, leaf and peat soil. It will be great if you add a little coniferous soil so that the plant can take root better.
The araucaria flower should be replanted in early spring (March-April) or early summer (June). Please note that only overgrown species, near which the ground is entwined with roots, require replanting - this is due to the fact that the plant does not tolerate replanting very well. Choose wide pots with good drainage for replanting, as small ones will not allow the plant to develop to the best of its ability.
An adult plant requires replanting up to 4 times a year; a young plant can live for about five years without external intervention.
During the growth period (this is the period of spring and summer, as you remember), it is necessary to regularly - twice a week - feed it with mineral fertilizers with a small calcium content (it is very sensitive to it).
Araucaria is propagated by dividing cuttings or planting seeds.
Variety of indoor araucaria (or variegated araucaria)
It is also called indoor spruce. Their main task is to purify the air. Indoor araucarias can reach a height of 60 m, but do not be afraid, this is only in their natural habitat. When grown at home or in an apartment, it does not grow more than 2 meters. The branches of the plant are arranged horizontally, forming something like a pyramid. Its difference from other varieties is the absence of cones that can produce seeds. The surface of the bark is brownish and slightly flaky. The leaves are small (no more than 2 cm) and have light green color with needles.
Homemade araucaria requires careful and constant care. Moreover, you need to take it up not after a while, but starting from the very first day. The room should be bright, and if this is not possible, then it should be provided with a spacious room with good air circulation. If you decide to take it out into the garden in the summer, then make sure that the sun's rays do not fall on it - let it be shadow or partial shade. If you ask friends who have already kept this plant, they may begin to dissuade you, explaining that the plant does not take root well and the needles turn yellow almost immediately. There is a reason for this effect - indoor araucaria needs a temperature of at least 12°, otherwise it will begin to turn yellow and disappear (also try to keep the room where it grows fresh and cool). It does not take root well in modern apartments with central heating - the heat destroys the plant, so it is necessary to moisten it three times a day. If the room is cool, then once every 2 days.
In summer, indoor araucaria requires good watering, but in moderation - otherwise the needles will begin to turn yellow. In winter, watering becomes moderate.
Look at the photo of indoor or indoor araucaria:
Araucaria araucana variety or Chilean pine
The Araucaria araucana variety or Chilean pine is an evergreen plant up to 40 meters high with a two-meter trunk in diameter. Its homeland is the central and southern part of Chile, as well as the territory of western Argentina.
It is considered to be the hardiest of all species. It is old, so sometimes you can find it called a mineral. The tree is pollinated by the wind. Can have either a male or female cone. The male one looks like a regular cucumber, 5 cm long. The seeds ripen 1.5 years after pollination and have the shape of a ball (up to 15 cm in diameter). Up to 200 seeds can appear at one time.
The plant of the Araucaria araucana variety is accustomed to mountain slopes of at least a thousand meters. With good nutrition, it tolerates almost any type of soil. Prefers a temperate climate with high rainfall. Chilean pine can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 20°C. which once again confirms its status as the hardiest species.
Chilean pine seeds are widely collected in Chile because they are edible and can be used in cooking. Often Western countries and Western producers use it in places where other nut crops cannot take root. But there is one thing: in order to produce seeds, the plant must live at least 30-35 years.
This species is almost extinct, therefore it is protected by law and listed in the Red Book.
Araucaria bidwilla
A huge evergreen tree and plant of the Araucariaceae family. Natural habitat is the humid tropics in south-eastern Australia (Queensland) and two in the north-east. Old examples of the species can be found in New South Wales, Western Australia and around Perth. Their height reaches 50 cm.
Araucaria bidwilla has large round buds with a soft and nutritious shell. Before opening up they fall near a tree. Some scientists speculate that dinosaurs and later mammals ate them.
The Araucaria tree has an unusual way of germinating seeds. The seeds form an underground tuber, from which the future stem, the trunk, shoots out like an antenna. Under optimal conditions and a warm climate, it grows for about two to three years.
Cones up to 30 cm in diameter can open in two cases - either when large birds do this, or when the fruit ripens (as a result we get large seeds or nuts).
Variety Araucaria bonsai
An evergreen coniferous tree or plant of the Araucariaceae family. Habitat: South America. Like the rest of the species, it loves light, but indirect sunlight.
Araucaria bonsai has large, erect trunks up to 120 cm high. Needle-shaped leaves extend at right angles.
In winter, the temperature of the room in which the plant is located should be at least 17°. Ventilate the room regularly, but make sure that the araucaria is not in a constant draft, otherwise the plant will die. Like all other varieties, it grows very slowly, but produces quite large fruits.
A young plant is replanted once every two years, an older one - 2-3 times a year.
What to do if araucaria starts to dry out?
Firstly, to avoid this, you should prepare the room in advance - a bright room that is constantly ventilated. Remember to water as needed and also spray with warm water.
Secondly, if this does happen, then continue to water the plant thoroughly, adding Epin to the water for spraying. And don’t forget to remove yellow and falling needles.
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